Virginia is for lovers; no longer loves smokers

[bfunkified]

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
Office of the Governor

Timothy M. Kaine FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Governor February 5, 2009


GOVERNOR KAINE, STATE LEGISLATORS ANNOUNCE GROUNDBREAKING AGREEMENT TO BAN SMOKING IN RESTAURANTS

~ Statewide ban will

Comments

[rawbery79]

Yeah, the outside rule makes NO sense. The smoke is dissipated in the air...as long as you aren't right next to the door, it shouldn't be an issue. I think they are revisiting the casino issue, but I am not totally sure.

Of course it was rather scandalous when the governor's wife was caught smoking in a state provided vehicle...!

I do agree about the indoor thing, but the footage rule makes the outdoor thing ridiculous. My boyfriend has smoked for...at least 30 years or so. He's tried to quit, unsuccessfully. His son has tried too, no dice. It isn't as if they WANT to throw $40 away buying cartons of smokes, but it's an addiction, unfortunately.

I don't agree with smoking (and the BF is rather considerate, smokes in one room downstairs in winter and outside in summer) but you shouldn't marginalize a group of people because they are unfortunate enough to be hooked on cigarettes.

PLUS, if the government keeps pushing smokers out of society, and more of them quit, what will that do to tobacco farmers? It's all a big mess if you look at the whole thing.

[irisira03]

My heart just bleeds for Philip Morris and RJ Reynolds.

The 10-15 foot rule is for doorways and windows (at least, in NY). My office building (a government building, btw) has cigarette disposals at the foot of the steps. People smoke out there.